Petoskey library, Table Health launch wellness series
The Petoskey District Library and Table Health are launching “Wellness in the Stacks,” a free public education series focused on health, literacy and preventive care in Petoskey. According to a community announcement, the partnership will bring physician-led programs to the library while also connecting families with literacy resources and health information.
Organizers said in the announcement that the collaboration is intended to combine community learning opportunities with medical education. Plans also include promoting the library’s TALK text-to-learn program in clinic exam rooms and exploring additional literacy initiatives for young children.
“Public libraries and direct primary care practices really have a lot in common. We’re both focused on giving people the tools, resources and support they need to live healthier, happier lives,” Jodi Haven, assistant director and circulation supervisor at the Petoskey District Library, said in the announcement. “Working with Table Health lets us bring health and wellness into the library in a really meaningful way, connecting physical and emotional wellbeing with the information and resources people already turn to us for. It’s a great way to support the health of our whole community, from one generation to the next.”
“Healthcare should never be rushed, nor should it happen in a silo,” Kendal Hansen, family physician at Table Health, said in the announcement. “By stepping out of the exam room and into the library, we can meet families where they are, offering actionable knowledge on brain development, stress management and long-term vitality.”
Fall programs focus on literacy and healthy aging
The first program, “Raising Readers & Healthy Kids: The Intersection of Pediatric Health and Early Literacy,” is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Hansen will discuss how reading supports pediatric brain development and can contribute to stress reduction and sleep habits. The presentation will include practical reading strategies for families, a question-and-answer session and take-home reading development guides organized by age group.
A second event, “Longevity Blueprint: Preventive Care and Emotional Health for the 50+ Community,” is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Amy Bodnarchuk, an internal medicine physician with Table Health, will discuss preventive screenings, metabolic health, inflammation and the role of emotional connection and purposeful play in overall health. The session will conclude with a question-and-answer period, and attendees will receive a health maintenance checklist, according to the announcement.
Event details
Both programs are free and open to the public at the Petoskey District Library, 500 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey.
More information about library programs and services is available at petoskeylibrary.org. Information about Table Health’s direct primary care services is available at tablehealth.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey library, Table Health launch wellness series